By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The whistle blowing policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria launched in December 2016 during late President Muhammadu Buhari with the aim of exposing corruption has so far enabled the country to recover over 800 billion naira looted fund since inception, Dr Doris Uzoka Anite has disclosed.
Dr. Uzoka who is the Minister of State for Finance made this known in Sokoto din her remarks during a one-day nationwide sensitization Programme on Whistle Blowing Policy Implementation in Nigeria.
The event, held at the Sokoto Pinnacle Guest Inn Resort brought participants from different fields to sensitize and encourage them to report information about fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, theft a as well as any other form of corruption.
Addressing the gathering virtually, Dr Uzoka reemphasized the essence of the sensitization, saying it will not only help them identify the gaps but also draw realistic and achievable roadmap for the future.
While admitting that they will not be detered by the numerous challanges faced by the policy’s implentation, Dr Uzoka appealed to all and sundry to collaborate with relevant authorities to help expose corruption at all levels, just as she urged the Sokoto State government to domesticate and institutionalize whistle blowing policy at the state level.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun who was represented by the the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Musa clarified that that whistleblowers are not just informants but guardians of integrity that must be strenghten hence they help in exposing wrong doings thereby protect public resources.
Speaking on his part, Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu represented by the State Commissioner of Finance, Muhammad Jabbi Shagari stressed that his administration has never condone public embezzlement and will continue to compliment the federal governments effort in strengthening whistle blower policy in the State.
The governor who said his stand of “Money Or Work” has continue to put both public office holders and contractors in check, reassured that his goverenment is rooted delivery of good governance for all in the state.
Delivering paper on “The Benefits Of Whistleblowing Policy In The Fight Against Corruption In Nigeria”, Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission represented by Kamilu Ibrahim Gebi, the Sokoto EFCC Zonal Directorate Head of Public Affairs submitted that the enthusiasm towards whistleblowing has declined lately in Nigeria.
“It is needful to stress that, though the policy drew massive public buy-in at the early stage by the EFCC, its attractiveness quickly diminished, thus making reviews, modification and
realignment of the policy imperative, especially for the sake of the boost it gives to the anti
corruption fight”.
Continuing, the EFCC boss made a passionate appeal to the National Assembly to consider urgent passage of a law that protects anybody who risk his or her life in making disclosure about issues of corruption.
PICTURE CAPTION:
Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
